Cleansing tissue package and method of packaging



Nov. 13, 1951 2,574,110

I CLEANSING TISSUE PACKAGE AND METHOD 0F PACKAGING w. RODGERS Filed Jan. 9, 1948 INVENTOR &[,, C f g ye BY ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 13, 1951 UNITED; STATES PATENT OFFICE If V, 2,574,710

I v 1' cmmmc TISSUE-"PACKAGE AND METHOD .OF PACKAGING I fWill iam Rodgers, East Orange, N. J. Application .Ianuary 9, 1948, Serial No. 1,286

This invention relates to av cleansing-tissue package and to a method for forming the said package.

Cleansing tissues form a very stable article of commerce and are today generally packaged in boxes from which individual tissues are removed and carried by a user. The individual cleansing tissues are relatively fragile and bulky, and are, therefore, extremely inconvenient to carry about the person. I have conceived and reduced to practice an invention whereby cleansing tissues, preferably individual, may be packaged so as to be more conveniently carried on the person, in a pocket, a box, in a handbag, or the like.

As a feature of my invention whereby the results thereof are achieved, a sheet of cleansing tissue is carried in a small tubular sheath approximately the size of a commercial cigarette, and is adapted to be removed readily therefrom by the mere parting of the sheath.

As a further feature of the invention, I have conceived and reduced to practice a method for manipulating a sheet of cleansing tissue whereby a relatively large sheet may be reduced to rodlike form of such size as to be packaged within a tubular sheath of the approximate size of a commercial cigarette. As a more particular feature of this part of the invention, I pleat or shirr a cleansing tissue in one direction for shortening one dimension thereof, where the sheet is rectangular. Thereafter, I preferably shirr or pleat the sheet in a direction at right angles to the first direction so as to reduce the sheet to the very small size necessary for the packaging thereof in a small sheath of the class indicated.

I have thus outlined the general nature of my invention and its relation to the prior art in order that the description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claim appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as the basis for the designing of other methods and structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention. It is important, therefore, that the claim to be granted me shall be of sufiicient breadth to prevent the appropriation of my invention by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ordinary sheet of cleansing 1 Claim. (01. 206-46) tissue. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet of Fig. l pleated or shirred so as to reduce considerably one linear dimension thereof. Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows the pleating or shirring of the sheet of tissue in a direction at right angles to that in which it is shirred or pleated in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 5 shows the final condition of the sheet of tissue when it is in a form adapted for packaging in a sheath. Fig. 6 shows the sheet of tissue packaged within a sheath of the class already indicated.

When referring more particularly to the drawings, it should be borne in mind that the pleating or shirring of the sheet of tissue is shown in a very limited sense only, since otherwise, the drawings would be considerably complicated. This is especially true with regard to Figs. 5 and 6. Thus, the actual number of pleats within a sheet of tissue necessary for the packaging thereof within a cigarette size sheath is much greater than the number shown in Figs. 5 and 6. However, if the true number were shown, Figs. 5 and 6 would be so complex as to obscure rather than clarify the invention.

A sheet of the usual commercial cleansing tissue is designated by reference numeral I0, and as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is first pleated or shirred so as to form a series of pleats ll, all preferably parallel to one linear direction of the sheet [0. Thereafter, the sheet IO, with the pleats ll formed therein, may be shirred or pleated in a direction preferably at right angles to the first shirring to form a series of pleats l2. Upon completion of the pleats l2, the entire sheet of tissue will be adapted for packaging in a form substantially that illustrated in Fig. 5, except as earlier indicated, there will be more pleats than shown.

In some suitable way, and preferably through the use of automatic machinery not forming a part of this invention, the sheet Ill may then be packaged within a sheath l3, approximately the size of a commercial cigarette. The sheath l3 may be so formed as to be readily destroyed or readily slit for the removal of the cleansing tissue, but this feature does not form a part of the particular invention herein disclosed.

In the forming of the packages, I shall prefer.- ably use a continuous long sheet of cleansing tissue that will be pleated or shirred automatically in the two directions indicated, and will then preferably be embodied within a long sheath with the sheath then cut into suitable lengths. However, the packaging of a sheet of cleansing tissue in accordance with the teachings of my invention may be accomplished manually. In the 3, claim appended hereto, I claim broadly a tissue package, a sheet pleated or shirred so as to be packaged in accordance with my invention, and also the method whereby the sheet of tissue is pleated in preparation for packaging, and is packaged.

I believe that my very considerable contribution to the .prior art and the breadth and scope of the protection I seek will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I now claim: A cleansing tissue package comprising a sheath of the size of a conventional-cigarettewitliinwhich a cleansing tissue is contained, said conjtained cleansing tissue having a plurality of relatively narrow individual pleats substantially parallel to one edge of the tissu'e 'and each"ofiset' relatively to said edge, said individual offset pleats being out of superposed relation from one another, and said tissue further having a plurality of relatively narrow pleats at right angles to said first pleats and said edge, said sheath 4 confining said resulting pleated tissue in a small rod1ike form substantially the size of a conventional cigarette.

WILLIAM C. RODGERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this :patent: UNITED STATES PA IENTS' 

